B.B. King Gear List
A quick-reference list of the guitars and amplifiers used by B.B. King. Lucille is the name associated with several Gibson instruments across his career, rather than just one guitar.
Models and backline changed over time. The tables distinguish documented examples from gear used throughout his career.
At a glance
| Category | Representative gear | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Signature guitar | Gibson ES-355 “Lucille” | Semi-hollow design; later Lucille models omit f-holes and include a Varitone circuit. |
| Earlier guitars | Gibson ES-335 / ES-355, ES-5 | Several Gibson models appeared during the early years. |
| Tube amp | Fender Twin Reverb | An amp King said he had favored for many years. |
| Later amp | Gibson Lab Series L5 | King referred to his long-used amp as the “Lab System.” |
| Effects | Mostly guitar straight to amp; occasional Cry Baby | His core sound came from touch, guitar controls and the amplifier. |
Guitars
| Instrument | Features | Use / period |
|---|---|---|
| Gibson ES-355 “Lucille” | Semi-hollow Gibson associated with King. Signature versions feature no f-holes, a Varitone circuit, stereo/mono outputs and, on some models, a TP-6 fine-tuning tailpiece. | His best-known stage guitar from the 1970s onward; many individual guitars carried the Lucille name. |
| Gibson ES-335 with Bigsby / Varitone modifications | An early Lucille-associated instrument with custom features drawn from ES-345 models. | 1960s. Often connected with the Live at the Regal era. |
| Gibson ES-355TD-SV | Stereo output, Varitone circuit and Maestro Vibrola tailpiece. | Documented in the 1969 “The Thrill Is Gone” performance setup. |
| Gibson ES-5, Byrdland and ES-175 | Hollow-body Gibson instruments used before Lucille became the familiar signature model. | Early career examples. |
| Fender Esquire | A solid-body Fender guitar used during an early period. | 1950s example. |
| Gibson Little Lucille | A smaller, more solid-bodied model distinct from the standard ES-style Lucille. | Later product line; not the same design as the classic Lucille. |
Amplifiers
| Amplifier | Role / features | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Fender Twin Reverb | High-powered tube combo. King said he had always been fond of Fender Twins. | Used for many years on stage. |
| Gibson LP-1 preamp + LP-2 power amp/cabinet | Gibson solid-state system documented with an ES-355 in the 1969 “The Thrill Is Gone” performance. | Late 1960s example. |
| Gibson Lab Series L5 | 2×12 combo. King described the Lab Series as an amplifier he had used for a long time. | Late 1970s onward. |
| Kustom amplifiers | One of the brands King compared with Fender and Lab Series gear in interviews. | Not a single career-wide rig. |
| Venue backline | Some shows used amplifiers supplied at the venue. | Exact equipment could vary by tour and location. |
Effects and controls
| Gear / method | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Guitar directly into amplifier | Signal path | King generally preferred not to add effects to his guitar signal. |
| Dunlop Cry Baby Wah | Wah | King recalled using one on a single album, then rarely using effects afterward. |
| Gibson Varitone | Onboard tone switching | Built into some Lucille and ES-style guitars; not an external pedal. |
| TP-6 fine-tuner tailpiece | Guitar hardware | Used on some Lucille specifications for fine tuning. |
| Amplifier reverb | Ambience | Varied with the amplifier and venue. |
| Guitar volume and tone controls | Onboard controls | Used to adjust level and tone while playing. |
Gear by era and recording
| Era / recording | Guitar | Amp / effects | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early recordings, 1940s–1950s | Gibson L-30, ES-5 and other models | Small Gibson amps and Fender backline | Gear changed frequently; the later Lucille signature line did not yet exist. |
| Late 1950s–1960s | Gibson ES models, including ES-335 / ES-355 | Fender amps and Gibson LP-1 / LP-2 system | Several guitars were called Lucille. |
| “The Thrill Is Gone” (1969) | Gibson ES-355TD-SV | Gibson LP-1 preamp and LP-2 power amp/cabinet | A documented performance setup. |
| 1970s–1980s | Lucille / ES-355 | Fender Twin Reverb, later Gibson Lab Series L5 | King described using both Fender Twins and Lab Series amps. |
| Later tours | Various Lucille guitars | Lab Series, Twin Reverb or venue backline | Stage equipment varied between performances. |
Gear by song
| Song / performance | Documented gear | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| “The Thrill Is Gone” | Gibson ES-355TD-SV, Gibson LP-1 / LP-2 | Gear identified for a 1969 performance. |
| “Lucille” | Gibson ES-style guitar named Lucille | Lucille refers to a succession of instruments, not just one unique guitar. |
| “Every Day I Have the Blues” | Lucille / ES-355; Twin Reverb or period backline | Amplifiers varied between live recordings. |
| “Sweet Little Angel” | ES-style Gibson, simple guitar-to-amp setup | Instrument details vary by recording and performance. |